A psychiatric patient absconded from supervision during a scheduled outing in Groningen last Wednesday, sparking a week-long search effort by local authorities. Identified as 33-year-old Mouloud Mezlay, the individual had been residing at the Van Mesdag Clinic in Groningen prior to his escape.
Escape during supervised leave
The fugitive’s urgent need for medication, owing to psychotic behavior, underscores the gravity of the situation, as stated by the police. An official statement from the Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasized the imperative of locating Mezlay promptly and returning him to the secure confines of a TBS facility. While specifics regarding his initial incarceration remain undisclosed, authorities stress the importance of his immediate return to treatment.
Despite intensive search operations conducted in recent days, Mezlay’s disappearance was only made public recently as law enforcement sought to deploy various means of apprehension. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor’s Office expressed confidence that the dissemination of information, coupled with ongoing search efforts, would facilitate the swift resolution of the situation.
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The last confirmed sighting of Mezlay places him in the vicinity of Sterrebos in Groningen, heightening concerns among the public and authorities alike. Citizens are urged to exercise caution and refrain from approaching the individual directly, instead reporting any sightings to emergency services immediately.
Tbs is a Dutch term for “terbeschikkingstelling,” a type of involuntary psychiatric treatment that can be ordered by a court for people who have committed serious crimes and are considered to be a danger to society.
Escape incidents involving TBS patients during supervised leave are relatively rare occurrences, with statistics from TBS Netherlands indicating only a handful of such incidents in recent years, despite thousands of authorized leaves annually. With over 1,500 individuals subject to TBS measures in the Netherlands, the safe recovery of Mezlay remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.
Public urged to report sightings
A detailed description of Mouloud Mezlay has been provided to aid in his identification and apprehension. Described as having a light complexion, approximately 1.90 meters tall, with short dark cropped hair, dark eyebrows, and striking dark brown eyes, Mezlay was last seen wearing a dark blue padded jacket, dark blue jeans, and black shoes. Notably, his demeanor is characterized by an intense gaze. It is important to note that he was not in possession of money or a mobile phone at the time of his disappearance.
Members of the public are urged to refrain from engaging Mezlay directly and to instead report any sightings or relevant information to the authorities promptly. Emergency services can be reached at 112, while the dedicated tip-off hotline is available toll-free at 0800-6070.
